Jameson attacks high excise rates

New Irish Distillers boss Jean-Christophe Coutures has, on the back of continued strong sales growth for flagship brand Jameson Irish Whiskey, launched a fresh attack on the Government for its high excise rates.

“Despite the overall global success of our brands, the domestic market continues to pose challenges,” said Mr Coutures yesterday on the back of annual results that showed that Jameson’s sales increased by 12% in volume terms and 16% in value terms in the 12 months to the end of June.

“Ireland has the third highest excise rate on spirits in Europe. It is damaging to our reputation that an American tourist can buy a bottle of Jameson in the US for almost half the price of the same bottle in Ireland, the home of Irish whiskey.”